Nature's wonder: How did this frozen 'ice bird' appear on this bird bath?

The cold snap hasn't brought much snow to play with, but it is bringing some interesting natural ice sculptures.

Check out the scene in Arlington where temperatures dipping into the teens and low 20s not only froze over a bird bath, but managed to create what appears to be a frozen bird!

"Went out side with the dogs and found this unusual 'eruption' out of our birdbath," said Bj Winskowski.

We also received other ice spike photos from Tacoma.

These towers are caused when the surface of the of water freezes first, sealing in the water below. As freezing temperatures continue, and that not-yet frozen water trapped below begins to freeze, it expands, creating higher pressure under the ice lid.

Eventually, the pressure will either cause a small crack or opening in the ice where water will start to dribble out -- sort of like squeezing a tube of toothpaste.

However, as that water squeezes out to the surface, it freezes too, creating a small bump of ice on the surface. The pattern repeats and the "bump" grows taller and taller until all the water under the main sheet of ice has frozen. And what you have left is called an ice spike.

However, sometimes depending on how the ice cracks, you can get more intricate designs -- this version above was probably when the ice made a bit of a circular pattern.

If you got any photos of such ice spikes or formations, we'd love to see them! You can email them to weather@komo4news.com, Tweet them @komonews or post them on our KOMO News Facebook page.